North Carolina

New North Carolina Budget Features Income Tax Relief, Universal School Choice, More Taxpayer Safeguards

Published

9 months ago

September 21, 2023

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New North Carolina Budget Features Income Tax Relief, Universal School Choice, More Taxpayer Safeguards

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Official text of the new two-year state budget agreement reached between North Carolina House and Senate leaders was officially released Wednesday, September 20. The budget deal includes tax relief that will, if enacted, allow households and small businesses to keep more of their income, along with provisions aimed at safeguarding North Carolinians against new taxes and regulations proposed at the local level. A floor vote on the deal will occur later in the week.

The North Carolina budget agreement would speed up the already codified drawdown of North Carolina’s personal income tax, which fell from 4.99% to 4.75% at the start of 2023, bringing the rate down to 3.99% at the end of 2025, one year ahead of schedule. The budget would also implement annual revenue triggers over the next decade that, if met, could bring North Carolina’s income tax as low as 2.49%.

Getting the rate down to 2.49%, were that to occur, would give North Carolina the nation’s lowest flat income tax, a distinction now held by Arizona, where legislators have their eyes on further cuts to their 2.5% rate that took effect the same day North Carolina’s 4.75% rate kicked in. North Carolina’s corporate income tax, now the lowest in the nation at 2.25%, is already scheduled for full phaseout by the end of this decade as part of the last budget signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper (D) in November 2021.

The new budget agreement also extends the sales tax exemption for jet fuel. In doing so, North Carolina legislators are demonstrating a continued commitment to avoiding taxation of business inputs. Jet fuel is exempt from sales tax in North Carolina, Georgia, and other states for the same reasons that business software purchases and other inputs are not included in the sales tax base. Taxation of business inputs leads to a phenomenon referred to as “tax pyramiding,” resulting in higher and more opaque tax burdens on the end consumer.

Aside from tax rate changes, the budget agreement would also protect North Carolinians from the threat of locally-imposed taxes and prohibitions on plastic bags, cups, containers, and other materials. Democrats are criticizing that reform, with Representative Lindsey Prather (D) describing it to the Asheville Citizen-Times as “overreaching and micromanaging our local governments from Raleigh.” Proponents of that provision, however, contend it stops overreaching and micromanaging on the part of local politicians and that it would protect all North Carolinians from locally-imposed taxes, prohibitions, and other costly regulations.

In addition to tax reform that could give North Carolina the lowest flat income tax in the U.S., the budget agreement would also make North Carolina the ninth state to offer families a universal school choice program, joining Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Utah, and West Virginia. The budget agreement accomplishes this by lifting the income cap for the state’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, making all North Carolina families eligible for education vouchers that allow parents to choose the school best suited to their child’s needs. More than 19,000 children across North Carolina now utilize the program. The value of the education voucher will decline as household income rises, bottoming out at 40% of the full $6,492 voucher.

Leadership in the North Carolina House and Senate decided to remove additional casino authorization from the budget. Doing so addresses concerns held by some legislators. “I appreciate leadership placing these two issues into a separate bill, allowing our members the freedom to vote according to their conscience without having to vote against the budget,” Representative Neal Jackson (R) told the Carolina Journal’s Donna King.

North Carolina’s Automatic Continuing Resolution Seen As Model That Should Be Applied At Federal Level

The fiscal year in North Carolina ended June 30. Thanks to a state law enacted in 2016, if a new budget is not in place by the end of the fiscal year then the state continues operating at the previous year’s spending levels. Some believe North Carolina’s automatic continuing resolution, which has put an end to shutdown politics in North Carolina and increases leverage for the side favoring less spending, is a reform that members of Congress should consider for the federal budget process. Bipartisan legislation to implement a federal automatic continuing resolution has been introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.).

A decade ago North Carolina had a progressive income tax with a top rate of 7.75%, which had been as high as 8.75%, while the corporate rate was 6.9%. Now, after a decade featuring multiple rounds of tax reform, the state has a flat income tax scheduled to go below 4% and a corporate tax on track to be eliminated entirely. North Carolina has been one of the fastest growing states for more than a decade, which is why the state gained a congressional seat following the last reapportionment. Proponents of this budget agreement believe it will make North Carolina an even more attractive destination than it already is to live, work, raise a family, do business, and invest.

“A decade after North Carolina kicked off the flat tax revolution that has since swept the country, North Carolina lawmakers continue to lead by example, demonstrating for all what pro-growth tax reform looks like,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “10 years ago North Carolina was home to the least competitive personal and corporate income tax rates in its region. Now the state has one of the lowest flat income taxes and is on track to be the third state with no corporate income tax. It’s amazing how much has changed since Bev Perdue was raising income taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, and other taxes only 14 years ago.”

The North Carolina House and Senate are expected to vote on this budget agreement before the end of the week. Were Governor Cooper to veto this budget, Republicans in both chambers of the General Assembly have the supermajorities needed to override his veto without any help from Democrats.

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North Carolina

Tennessee Baseball's Win Over North Carolina Different But Not Surprising | Rocky Top Insider

Published

25 mins ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee Baseball's Win Over North Carolina Different But Not Surprising | Rocky Top Insider

Cal Stark catches against North Carolina in the 2024 College World Series // Photo via UT Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. — Tennessee’s offense didn’t explode in any one inning and totaled just seven hits in its 6-1 College World Series win over North Carolina on Sunday night. In that way, the Vols’ second win in Omaha was different than what they are known for, but that doesn’t make it surprising that they knocked off the Tar Heels the way they did.

“I think it just shows how versatile we are,” right fielder Kavares Tears said postgame.

“Friday night never really giving up even though we were down however much,” left-handed pitcher Kirby Connell said. “Just worried about the next pitch and tonight was getting off to a good start and kind of never took our foot off the gas.”

How Tennessee won its College World Series opener against Florida State is what this team’s known for. Twelve runs, a late game rally and six extra-base hits. That’s what people think of when they think of this team.

And the Vols can win that way. They’ve totaled double-digits runs 30 times this season and have won three games allowing double-digit runs.

But Tennessee can also win with pitching and defense. They won four SEC regular season and tournament games scoring four or less runs. After its win over North Carolina, Tennessee now has a 10-9 record in SEC and postseason games where they scored six or less runs. That record is 10-4 if you start after the series opening loss at Auburn that’s proven to be a turning point in the season.

Both pitching and defense were on display against the Tar Heels. Drew Beam, who struggled in his first three starts this postseason, was efficient and effective in five innings of one run baseball.

“I thought Drew Beam was really, really good,” North Carolina coach Scott Berry said.

“There was conviction to it,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said of Beam.

The junior’s bounce back was a great sign. Tennessee needed him to be better if they were going to win the National Championship. He delivered in his first opportunity and a second one is now looking all the more likely.

More From RTI: Tony Vitello And Hunter Ensley Update The Centerfielder’s Status

Don’t overlook the defense behind him either. No one will forget Hunter Ensley’s stellar catch running into the wall in center field in the second inning but that wasn’t the only nice play. Dean Curley, Christian Moore and Blake Burke all had impressive plays. The only defensive miscue of the whole night came on a grounder Billy Amick couldn’t corral in the fifth inning.

That’s important too. Tennessee’s defense has been sloppy the entire NCAA Tournament. Not just sloppy but “get you beat at some point” sloppy.

“The defense was outstanding on both sides,” Vitello said.

While it wasn’t the offense’s best night, it wasn’t bad either. There was the usual power surge— a Kavares Tears three-run homer that broke the tie in the fourth inning and a Reese Chapman solo shot an inning later. But there was also an ability to generate runs to help cushion the lead.

Tennessee capitalized when North Carolina walked Colby Backus on four pitches and promptly threw a wild pitch as Dean Curley drove him home with a two-out single up the middle. Another four pitch walk in the eighth inning led to a run when Dylan Dreiling singled and then Tears doubles to right field with two outs.

“Pretty good hitting too,” Ensley said. “Some clutch hits. Two-out hitting was really good so just finding different ways to win ball games.”

The win marked the first time ever that Tennessee’s won its first two games in the College World Series and the two wins came in radically different fashions. But the Vols have been winning in different ways all season and that bodes well for a team that’s a win away from advancing to their second College World Series finals in program history.

“I think we’ve won two different ways in Omaha than we have all year,” Ensley said. “That’s good for the confidence for the team.”

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North Carolina

Tennessee baseball vs North Carolina score updates in College World Series

Published

7 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee baseball vs North Carolina score updates in College World Series

OMAHA, Neb. − Tennessee baseball is off a good start in the College World Series.

The Vols (56-12) face North Carolina (48-14) on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in their second CWS game after winning 12-11 against Florida State on Friday. UT walked off the Seminoles on a ninth-inning single from Dylan Dreiling to cap a four-run inning that erased a three-run deficit.

UNC also walked off its first game on a single from Vance Honeycutt in the ninth inning against Virginia in the opening game Friday.

UT and UNC have not played since the 2019 Chapel Hill Regional. The Vols lost 5-2 in the regional final in the first postseason appearance under coach Tony Vitello.

Tennessee baseball live score updates vs North Carolina in College World Series

Parks Harber singles for the first UNC hit, but Drew Beam pitches around the runner for another scoreless inning. He’s now up to 34 pitches through four innings.

The Vols go down 1-2-3 in the third inning, including a Christian Moore flyout to center.

Drew Beam is through third inning with just 21 pitches after a clean run through the Tar Heels lineup.

Dylan Dreiling leads off the inning with a walk but the Vols don’t do anything with it.

Hunter Ensley robs Anthony Donofrio of extra bases with a catch as he crashes into the centerfield wall. What a catch.

Otherwise, a clean first two innings by Drew Beam

The Vols go down 1-2-3 against Shea Sprague, including a 115 mph groundout by Christian Moore to open the inning.

Drew Beam deals a 1-2-3 first inning against the UNC top of the lineup. Better start for the Vols, including a nice stretch by Blake Burke at first base to secure a 4-3 groundout.

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. North Carolina on today?

TV: ESPN2 (Watch on Fubo)

MORE: Watch Tennessee baseball live vs North Carolina with Fubo (free trial)

Tennessee baseball vs. North Carolina start time

Tennessee baseball vs. North Carolina location

Omaha, Nebraska
Charles Schwab Field

LIGHT: Meet Carlee Beam, the brightest light at Tennessee baseball’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium

Tennessee baseball schedule

See the Tennessee baseball schedule here

North Carolina baseball schedule

See the North Carolina baseball schedule

Tennessee baseball roster

See the Tennessee baseball roster here

North Carolina baseball roster

See the North Carolina baseball roster

College World Series schedule

Below is the full 2024 schedule for the 2024 College World Series:

All times Eastern

Friday, June 14

Game 1: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2
Game 2: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11

Saturday, June 15

Game 3: Kentucky 5, NC State 4 (10 inn.)
Game 4: Texas A&M 3, Florida 2

Sunday, June 16

Game 5: Virginia vs. Florida State | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 6: North Carolina vs. Tennessee | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Monday, June 17

Game 7: NC State vs. Florida | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 8: Kentucky vs. Texas A&M | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Tuesday, June 18

Game 9: Winner of Game 5 vs. loser of Game 6 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. loser of Game 8 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Wednesday, June 19

Game 11: Winner of Game 6 vs. winner of Game 9 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. winner of Game 10 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Thursday, June 20

Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | TBD
Game 14 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | TBD

College World Series championship finals schedule 2024

Saturday, June 22

Game 1: TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Sunday, June 23

Game 2: TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)

Monday, June 24

Game 3 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

College World Series odds

According to BetMGM

2024 College World Series bracket

See the bracket here.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

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North Carolina

North Carolina vs. Tennessee schedule, time, TV channel, live stream for 2024 College World Series baseball game | Sporting News

Published

22 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina vs. Tennessee schedule, time, TV channel, live stream for 2024 College World Series baseball game | Sporting News

Tennessee and North Carolina clash in the winner’s bracket of the men’s College World Series on Sunday evening after their respective opening-round wins.

The Volunteers are vying to become the first No. 1 overall seed to win the CWS since Miami accomplished the feat 25 years ago. And their high-powered offense showcased its mettle in a zany, 12-11 victory over No. 8 Florida State on Friday night.

Staring down an 11-7 eighth-inning deficit, Tennessee mounted a furious comeback to push the Seminoles to the brink. Overall, the Volunteers recorded 18 hits, with star second baseman Christian Moore hitting for the cycle.

North Carolina also picked up a walk-off victory Friday, edging Virginia, 3-2. Prized outfielder Vance Honeycutt secured the game-winning hit on a ninth-inning single, setting up the Tar Heels for a date with SEC foe Tennessee.

Here is everything you need to know about Tennessee vs. North Carolina, including TV and live stream information.

North Carolina vs. Tennessee schedule

North Carolina and Tennessee are set to meet in the College World Series’ winner’s bracket. The details of their matchup are outlined below.

Date	Game	Time (ET)	TV channel
Sun., June 16	Game 6: No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 4 North Carolina	7 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo

What channel is North Carolina vs. Tennessee on?

TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: Fubo

North Carolina vs. Tennessee will air live on ESPN, with Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kyle Peterson (color analyst), Chris Burke (color analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline reporter) on the call.

Fans can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial, so you can try before you buy.

North Carolina vs. Tennessee start time

Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 7 p.m. ET

First pitch between North Carolina and Tennessee is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 16. The game will be played at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

Tennessee vs. North Carolina radio station

Listen to Tennessee vs. North Carolina, and every game of the 2024 men’s College World Series, live on SiriusXM channel 84.

Get 3 months of SiriusXM for just $1. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.

Tennessee vs. North Carolina tickets

Tickets for games during the College World Series, including Tennessee vs. North Carolina, are available on StubHub. Use the link below to explore prices and seats for individual games.

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